Singing happily as if she was riding a fluffy cloud, Josey finished setting the table. She had over done it and cooked too much food she thought, briefly, but decided not to care at that moment. She would be able to face her sister proudly, and soon give her everything under the bright sun.
“Oh my gosh Jo! It smells fantastic! Hehe, what's all this for?” Emily had come in the door and kicked off her shoes, practically running to the kitchen from the smell that filled their apartment.
Watching her sister shuffle with excitement from the food she cooked, Josey beamed.
“Well, as you are usually the one to cook for me, I decided since I had tonight off, I would do the cooking.” Josey said as she smiled.
“You got the job?” Emily asked grabbing the back of the kitchen chair.
Josey just nodded no, while eyeing the spatula she was holding, with a sad look. She wanted to trick her sister, but failed the moment she looked up to see the excitement start to leave Emily’s eyes.
“YES!” Josey yelled in excitement.
“Hey! How dare you try to trick me! Oh my gosh, I am so happy for you, I knew you could do it!” They both jumped around in excitement a moment before settling down at their small table to eat.
“So, when do you start?” Emily asked before shoveling a huge spoon full of rice in her mouth.
“I start Monday, so this weekend I will have to shop around for another work jacket at least. I figure for now I can alternate them until I see what everyone else is wearing around me.” Josey responded before doing the same.
“Hmm, you could always as Agatha, she might be a little bigger than you but I bet she has something you could borrow.” Emily laughed, waiting for her sister's reaction.
“Ha! Yeah right, I can only imagine the looks I’d get showing up on my first day with a jacket covered in Persian cats. I’d immediately get coined the ‘Cat Lady’” Josey said shaking her head.
“Anyway, it won't matter what I wear as long as it looks professional. I can always check out a few second-hand stores. Do you wanna come with me tomorrow?” Josey asked, picking up the one can of beer she splurged on and sipping the cool amber goodness.
“Emm nope, can’t, I have a small recital practice, and I promised Agatha I’d discreetly feed her 5 babies. She was sure sneaky about it this time. I guess we got a new landlord?” The moment Emily mentioned the new land lord, Josey spit beer out over the table.
“Eww, Jo! Come on, I wasn’t finished! Gross..” Her sister didn’t know anything about the day she had and the misfortune of meeting not only the new owner of the building, but her new boss as well.
“Sorry, there's some left on the stove. I’ll make you a new plate.” Grabbing Emily's plate Josey didn’t say a word and walked over to the sink.
“Jo? What's the matter? Did you already meet the new owner? Agatha said he sure was dreamy looking, but a little weird and picky.” Emily commented out loud, noticing her sisters silence.
“Yea I met him. He is definitely weird. He’s also definitely my new boss..as well.” Josey responded quietly ash she turned towards Emily.
“What!? Are you serious, the new owner of our apartment complex is also your new work boss? How does that happen?” Emily said before laughing.
“Why do you think it’s so funny? You would not believe the day I’ve had with him!” Not realizing how it sounded until Emily’s face sported a wide smile, Josey could only shake her head as she placed the new plate of food in front of Emily.
“Oh, so you guys spent the day together already? Dang my sister moves fast!” Her childish laughter made Josey smile as she lightly popped Emily on the head.
“It’s not what you are thinking, he just so happened to be in the wrong place at the right times. I would have been road kill today if it wasn’t for him, but yet somehow, I don’t feel very grateful. He has a short temper, and is very rude. I also think he is allergic to people. Anyway, he was not a pleasure to deal with. I can only hope we don’t have to run into each other at work.” Taking a deep breath at her winded explanation, Josey just looked at her sister's devilish grin.
“So, he saved you hmm?” Emily responded.
“Is that all you got out of what I said?” Josey frowned at her sister.
“Uh huh.” Covering her giggle, Emily stood up and started clearing the table.
“Well, I must thank him for saving my wonderful sister if I ever run into him.” Still laughing at Josey, Emily had cleared the table as Josey sat there dumbfounded.
“You will not! Don’t talk to him, or even look at him. Avoid him at all costs, he’s just bad luck.” Josey said standing and heading to the sink to help her sister with dishes.
“Okay, okay, I’ll avoid the guy. But tell me, honestly, is he as dreamy as Agatha says he is?” Emily's giggle brought a giggle out of Josey.
“I can definitely say he works out! As far as his looks, he’s not like super handsome or anything. Just, I don't know, average?” Josey said shrugging her shoulders.
Her answer was good enough for Emily that they finally changed topic and started on something else. The night flew quickly and Emily headed to bed. Josey decided that the cool air would be nice after standing over hot soapy water so she decided to go outside and sit on her apartments stoop for a few minutes before resigning to bed.
Already in bed, doing work on his laptop, Tarrin had finished his nightly blood transfusion. He needed a special kind of blood in order to keep the genetically enhanced disease his father infected him with, under control. In less than a month, he would have another episode, but there were precautions in place for that.
Suddenly seeing a notification for the security cameras pop up, Tarrin knew it was for the apartments he just purchased. Switching it over to the live feed, he noticed movement in front of one apartment. It was that girl from earlier in the day.
He watched as she sat down on the concrete step and drank from a can of beer. Typical he thought. He was about to click off not concerned at the moment what she was doing when another figure appeared in the camera, he recognized the guy to be Jared, the son of Rapture Investments. Curious now why someone that is one of societies elites would be visiting someone like Josey.
He watched as Josey scooted over on her step so Jared could sit. There was no audio but that won't be the case come tomorrow as Tarrin sent a quick message to the head of his security on his phone. Josey was talking to the guy, waving her hands laughing and the Jared was laughing along with her. Tarrin suddenly felt a twinge of jealousy and not liking it, he closed his laptop.
After having a short talk and laugh with Jared about her day, they said their goodnights and Josey went inside. Suddenly feeling tired, she decided she needed sleep to fuel her shopping trip for tomorrow.She held in a laugh after opening their bedroom door and seeing her sister sleeping with her head laying on the desk, wide mouthed and drooling. She had a bag of snacks in one hand and a pencil in the other. Careful not to disturb her too much, Josey removed the snack bag and pencil before slowly lifting her by her shoulder and helping her over to her bed.Emily murmured something about math then turned over as Josey covered her with the froggy printed comforter.Going over to her own bed, Josey kicked off her slippers and snuggled under her comforter. Thoughts of the new job, the horrible new boss and Jared always popping up to help her raced through her mind before she finally slipped off to sleep.“Jo, I’m headed out! I’ll be back late, a few of us are going to the student council
Tarrin was caught. He didn’t intend on actually following her at first but it ended up happening that way. On his way home from an early morning meeting, he spotted her from the car. He requested that Mara drop him off to walk and get some fresh air. “Fresh air?” She had asked him. “Yes, it seems like a nice day for it.” He responded, not making eye contact. “Emm hmm, if you say so sir.” He caught the rolling of her eyes, but didn’t say anything as she put on the signal light and pulled over. “I’ll call you when I am done getting some fresh air.” Tarrin shut the door after Mara just nodded at him. From helping with fallen tomatoes to the stray cats, Josey would stop and greet, he found her somewhat amusing. At one point she tried petting a small older dog that was chained outside of someone’s door step. The grumpy dog suddenly started barking and nipping at her making her run for her life from it even though it was on a chain. The moment she was far enough away, Tarrin growled at
Josey hadn’t found it odd that she ran into the new landlord while she was shopping, she just assumed he must have had a business meeting in the area. Not really finding anything that would suit her taste, or that she could afford, she decided she would just head back home. Hearing her phone ring as she walked slowly in disappointment, she pulled it out to see it was Jared calling her. “Hey.” she said. “What's up Josey girl? You sound a bit down.” He asked, but Josey really didn’t want a pity party over clothes. “I’m fine, what's up with you?” She asked him. Jared rarely called her on the weekends. “I wanted to see if you wanted to have dinner with me tonight. To celebrate your new job.” Josey’s heart did a pitter patter. It wasn’t really for Jared that it her heart sped up for, it was the food. If he was buying dinner, it meant the food would be better than what she could cook at home. “Sure, absolutely! Emily is eating at with her friends tonight at their student council m
Jared had pulled up at exactly 6:30 to pick Josey up for the dinner outing. The sun was low in the sky and street lights were getting ready to kick on. Grabbing her sneakers, Josey headed out the door. She kept it casual in jeans and a hoodie. The weather was cooler in the evenings, and because she gets cold easily, she figured she wouldn’t get over heated. Jared was standing there, leaning in his car waiting when she came out. “Hey!” She said waving at him as she hopped and skipped, pulling her sneakers on. “Ready?” He asked her while opening the door to the car. “Sure am! Thanks for offering to take me to dinner.” She said as she slid into the black leather seat. He shut the door and got into the driver's side. “Uh yea, my pleasure! Hey, what's with all the security camera’s suddenly popping up around here? There’s a camera even pointed at your door step from the energy pole across the street.” Jared asked Josey curiously. “Oh that? It would be our not so lovely ne
“Yes, and for God's sake, why did you have to go and drag me here? I hate Italian, and I hate low lit places.” Linux whined under his breath. “Do you recognize the man she’s with?” Tarrin asked again, keeping his voice low. Taking several glances at the table, Linux could only see the back of the man's head. “Not really, when they first came in, I thought he looked familiar. Why are you asking?” Linux responded, trying to look natural and cover his mouth so his words wouldn’t carry. “Thats Jared Chaser, from Rapture Investments.” He murmured. “Oh!” Linux almost yelled, slapping the table causing his fork to fly off and clink on the floor. Tarrin shook his head at his friend. Linux quickly reached out a foot and tried scooting the fork back closer. Josey looked over towards them because of the noise and Linux froze with his leg extended out from the table. looking at the ceiling. “I can’t take you anywhere.” Tarrin commented under his breath. Suddenly he and Linux hear
“The dressing wasn’t a big deal. I could have eaten a side salad instead.” Josey said to Jarred as he rushed to start the car.“Oh, well it doesn’t matter, we will have a better time grabbing something and sitting by the beach.” Replying, Jared pasted a fake smile on. He didn’t want to tell her the real reason they left.Jared wanted to protect Josey, but at the same time, he needed to use her. He knew that back in the restaurant things looked weird, but after he confirmed with Josey that Tarrin Stormway was her new landlord, he wanted to ask his friend about the properties located around the apartments.The guy couldn’t keep his perverted mouth shut. He suggested that they take Josey out to get drunk after they eat, and then have a little fun with her before dumping her off at home. Jared didn’t mind the idea, just not with Josey.When Jared declined, his friend questioned his stature, that pissed Jared off so he punched him. So not wanting to deal with him any longer, Jared decided
Tarrin lifted the phone above Josey’s head as she attempted to snatch it back. He couldn't let her call anyone because it would just draw more attention to what he was trying to do, and himself, as well.Hanging it up, he handed it back to her.“Why did you hang up!?” She yelled at him.“Calling your friend wouldn’t be wise, unless you want to explain to him why his friend is knocked out?” Tarrin challenged her, noticing her panicked expression.“You’re the one that knocked him out!” She responded, eyeing the snoring body as she put the phone back in her pocket.“Did you.. see me knock him out?” He asked as he pulled out his own phone.“Yes..no..but you did. Otherwise, how did he end up flat on his back, and snoring?” Josey replied, frustrated this was going nowhere.“He tripped, apparently knocking himself out.” Tarrin responded with a smug look as he shrugged his shoulders and unlocked his phone.Josey’s mouth dropped open. She started to question if that was true but didn’t buy it
With the hoodie pulled up around her hands, Josey wiped at the tears. Her pride was hurt. She knew that the friend of Jared’s wasn’t sincere and really did mean to hurt her, but it didn’t matter. Tarrin’s actions still pissed her off. Going in her apartment, she noticed all the lights were off. Removing her shoes, she walked to the kitchen and flipped the light on. There was a note from Emily saying she was staying at her friend Clarrisa’s house and would be back in the morning. Emily also said she had leftovers from the get together and they were in the fridge. Being thankful to her sister, Josey grabbed a small plastic wrapped paper plate holding 2 chocolate cupcakes from the fridge. It was just what she needed after the evening she had. She was hoping Emily would be home but at least she could try calling Cece to console her. “Hi, you’ve reached the lovely Cece’s phone! Leave her a message, and if you’re lucky, she’ll return your call! ..where’s the bee..BEEP.” Josey hung up smi